Hi, @BabyandCotton -
It is possible th infection came from cutting - that's a risk with opening their feet, and sometimes it seems like that is the best thing to do at the time.
So, I am glad that you seem to be making some progress. I would hesitate a bit about the Carmex just because it contains benzocaine, and that may be not the best since I have read that the -caine painkillers are known to be a problem in waterfowl. I doubt that one application is going to cause injury, but I wanted to share that...
Soaking is good. There is a method that follows a nice long soak with applying a few drops of clear (clear, not brown, clear) iodine, then not wrapping the foot, just keeping the duck confined for a few to several days afterward . . . then soaking the foot very well again. Often after the first soak-iodine-soak cycle, a scab forms that can be gently removed. And generally all the ick inside comes off with the scab. If it cannot be gently removed, or there's more stuff inside, rinse well, dry off, and apply a few more drops of clear iodine, don't wrap it, just let it dry, and then try again several days later.
@Miss Lydia has used this method, as have others.
With the foot being hot, you might consider oral antibiotics to prevent systemic infection.
